Product Description
How to appraise a restorable structure, obtain financing, and hire subcontractors.Amazon.com Review
One of the surest ways to save a bundle of money on any serious home renovation is to be your own contractor. However, if an individual embarks on this effort not armed with all the facts and formalities, it can also be the proverbial primrose path to financial hell. Becoming your own contractor is neither as simple as it might seem, nor as potentially … More >>
Be Your Own Home Renovation Contractor: Save 30% Without Lifting a Hammer
Tags: amazon, Contractor, formalities, hammer, hell, Home, home renovation, Lifting, Money, primrose path, renovation, renovation contractor, Save, subcontractors, Without
#1 by Paul on April 26, 2010 - 1:55 am
This is a high level overview of renovation with almost no useful details. The author tries to address too many things and in doing so never goes into depth anywhere. I bought the book to learn his take on cost estimation. He spends 1/2 page giving ballpark numbers for an “average-sized house” and it is too high level and he leaves a bunch of stuff out. If you know absolutely nothing about renovation then this book is a quick read and it might give you an idea of SOME of what there is to learn elsewhere. If you don’t know anything about renovation before you read this book and all you do is read this book, HIRE A GENERAL CONTRACTOR AND DON’T ATTEMPT THIS YOURSELF!
Rating: 1 / 5
#2 by Anne Rappold on April 26, 2010 - 3:24 am
My husband and I made a bid on a foreclosed property. The same night I ordered “Be Your Own Home Renovation Contractor.” We read through the book when it arrived and because of the tips and expert advice of the author, we were able to spot major (hidden)defects in the house that would have cost us thousands of additional dollars to repair. Needless to say, we did not buy the foreclosure. We have since found another house and again, we have saved money using the author’s tips and techniques.
Rating: 4 / 5
#3 by M. Gould on April 26, 2010 - 6:12 am
I bought this book because I am remodeling my basement. I find about 1/3 of the book to be useful, maybe a bit more.
There is a lot in here about purchasing a home for the purpose of remodeling, and those who would make such a purchase appear to be the target audience. For me, much of that content is not necessary because I am remodeling part of a home that I already own. There is also unneeded content about financing and making a real estate purchase. All this in a book that is only 106 pages plus appendices (contracts, forms, and sample blueprints).
Rating: 3 / 5